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Moscow Basics

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Time: Russia is divided into 11 time zones ranging from GMT +2 in the east to GMT +12 in the west. In summer the time is +1 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in September. The local time in Moscow and St Petersburg is GMT +3 (GMT +4 in summer).

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are standard.

Money: The official currency is the Rouble (RUB), which is divided into 100 kopeks. Most major credit cards, like Visa and Mastercard are accepted in the larger hotels and at places that deal with foreign tourists. Currency can be changed at banks, currency exchange booths and hotels. Travellers cheques are difficult and expensive to cash, but if necessary it is advised to take them in US Dollars or Euro. ATMs are widely available in major cities. It is hard to get rubles outside Russia and travellers are advised to take good condition US dollars or Euro notes to change once there. It is illegal to pay for goods or services in hard currency, though it is often accepted.


Currency Exchange Rates
RUB 1.00 = A$ 0.05 C$ 0.04 IRR 0.35 NZ$ 0.06 £ 0.02 US$ 0.04 R 0.33

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: Russian is the official language. Some people speak English, French or German.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian citizens must have a valid passport and a visa.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a valid passport and a visa.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport and a visa.
Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand nationals require a valid passport and a visa.

Passport/Visa Note: Visitors must carry ID at all times whilst in Russia; a photocopy of your passport and visa will suffice. An Immigrant Card will be issued on board the aircraft or on arrival. All visitors staying for longer than three days must register with the local police upon arrival; if staying in a hotel, the hotel will arrange this. Anyone travelling on a tourist visa must hold vouchers from the hotel or travel agency. Exit permits are required on departure. These are usually issued with the visa, or can be obtained at hotels not less than two days before departure. Passports must be valid for period of intended stay.

Health: Travellers to Russia are advised to have up-to-date vaccinations for hepatitis A, tuberculosis and typhoid fever (long-term travellers), as well as medications for travellers' diarrhoea. There is also a risk of tick-borne encephalitis in rural and wooded areas, particularly in the Ural and Siberian regions. HIV/AIDS is on the increase. Measles outbreaks occur. Drinking water should be treated; bottled water is readily available. There is a reciprocal health care agreement with the UK entitling citizens to free health treatment in hospital. Local state medical facilities are of a low standard, however, and visitors are strongly advised to have full insurance for medical treatment and accidents should they require private care. Blood transfusions should not be performed in Russia, due to uncertainties concerning the blood supply. Essential medications and supplies may be limited. There have been outbreaks of bird flu in a number of regions of Russia, including around Moscow, but there have been no reports of human infection. Travellers are advised to avoid contact with domestic, caged and wild birds and ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked.

Tipping: Hotel bills in the large cities include a 10 to 15% service charge; otherwise 10% is usual. If a service charge hasn't been added at a restaurant, a 10% tip is expected. City Guides and their drivers also expect a small tip and tipping in bars and nightclubs is common.

Safety: The areas in North Caucasus of Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, and the eastern and southern parts of Stavropol Krai are highly volatile at present and visitors are strongly advised against travel in those regions. Only essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area) should be undertaken. There is a high risk of domestic terrorism throughout Russia, particularly in Moscow and North Caucasus, with suicide bombings and explosions in public areas and on public transport, and hostage-taking are serious threats. The Russian authorities are also concerned about a possible threat to Western interests in Moscow and the threat of terrorist attacks in major cities. Visitors are advised to be vigilant, particularly in tourist areas, and also to watch out for pickpockets and street crime, especially in large cities. There has been an increase in crime, specifically targeting tourists, in St Petersburg and visitors are advised to be cautious on the metro and buses, and should insist on seeing official ID from police officers. Political protests often end in violence and detention, and visitors are advised to avoid all demonstrations.

Customs: Photography of anything to do with the military, strategic sites, or the airport, is prohibited. It is impolite to refuse alcohol, food and gifts. In Russian Orthodox churches, women are advised to wear skirts and cover their heads with a scarf. It is a legal requirement for visitors to carry passports for identification; copies are not sufficient.

Business: Russian business is conducted in a fashion similar to Western countries with subtle differences. Russians are business-minded so it is not necessary to form personal relations but developing a good network of resident associates is a good idea. Dress is formal and conservative and on greeting a good firm handshake and direct eye contact indicates strength. Business cards are exchanged and it's advisable to get a Russian translation of your details on the alternate side. Business hours are generally from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday.

Communications: The international access code for Russia is +7. When calling Russia from abroad, the initial zero on the area code must not be omitted. The outgoing code is 8 followed by 10 (a second tone should sound after 8), followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 81044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. 495 for Moscow and 812 for St. Petersburg. Public phones are good for local and international calls; they take phonecards, which can be bought at newspaper kiosks and post offices. Phone booths in airports and major hotels usually take Amex or Visa cards but are generally much more expensive than street phones. Mobile phones work in most large towns and cities. There are numerous local operators using GSM 900/1800 networks, each covering relatively small areas. Internet access is available at Internet cafes throughout the major towns and cities.

Duty free: Customs inspections on entering Russia are stringent. Visitors have to declare on a form items such as currency and valuables, which they are bringing in for their own use. Duty free allowances change often and at short notice, but in general travellers can bring 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 cigarillos or 500g tobacco products; 2 litres of alcohol (for those over 21 years of age); perfume for personal use; 250g caviar (provided this is factory packed) and gifts to the value of 65,000 rubles.

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